- The prevalence of neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions has increased over the past decade.
- Although some of this increase may be due to better diagnosis, experts suggest that environmental factors could play a part.
- A new study has found that some common environmental chemicals damage vital brain cells called oligodendrocytes.
- The researchers suggest that this damage could help explain the rise in conditions such as autism-spectrum and attention-deficit disorders (ADD), as well as multiple sclerosis (MS).
The number of people diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism-spectrum and attention-deficit disorders has increased greatly over the past decade. This could be a result of greater recognition and diagnosis of the conditions, but experts suggest that environmental factors might be driving these increases.
According to a new (2023) study, some common chemicals found in personal-care and household products, damage specialized brain cells called oligodendrocytes that generate the [protective] myelin sheaths on nerve cells. The researchers suggest that exposure to these chemicals could lead to neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions, such as autism-spectrum conditions, attention deficit disorders and multiple sclerosis.
The study, from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, assessed the effect of a wide range of chemicals on isolated oligodendrocytes, organoid systems, and developing brains of mice. They found that two groups—organophosphate flame retardants and quaternary ammonium compounds(QACs)—damaged or caused the death of oligodendrocytes, but did not affect other brain cells.
The research is published in Nature, and Neuroscience.
Two groups of common chemicals
Oligodendrocyte production begins during fetal development, with the majority of these cells being made during the first two years of life. Mature oligodendrocytes are responsible for manufacturing and maintaining the myelin sheaths that protect nerve cells and speed up the transmission of nerve impulses.
Chemicals from two groups had an adverse effect on oligodendrocytes. Organophosphate flame retardants, which are commonly found in electronics and furniture, inhibited the generation of oligodendrocytes from OPCs. Quaternary ammonium compounds, which are in many personal-care products and disinfectants, killed the cells.
“Unfortunately, these products are widely in use (e.g. organophosphates for making of dyes, varnishes, textiles, resins, etc, and quaternary ammonium for disinfectants and personal care products).”
— Dr. Jagdish Khubchandani, professor of public health at New Mexico State University
Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs; also referred to as quats) comprise hundreds of chemicals and mixtures. QACs serve many different functions, primarily as antimicrobials, surfactants, preservatives, antistatic and softening agents, and dispersants. They are often found in cleaning products, hand sanitizers, personal care products, many kinds of wipes (surface, baby, hand, and disinfecting wipes), and various pesticidal products. QACs are frequently incorporated into polymers and used in a variety of applications, including in personal care products. QACs are also bonded to surfaces as antimicrobial treatments, including textiles, biomedical instruments, and high-touch surfaces in public spaces. In other words, they are found everywhere in almost everything we currently use to clean or disinfect with.
Researchers found that children with the highest levels of BDCIPP flame retardant exposure, were 2–6 times more likely to have special educational needs or motor dysfunction than those with the lowest levels. They suggest this is strong evidence of a positive association between organophosphate flame retardant exposure and abnormal neurodevelopment.
Multiple studies have suggested that alternative disinfectants, such as caprylic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, and other active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, and alcohol, should be used where possible to avoid excessive exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs).
Sources: Excerpted and adapted from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/household-chemicals-may-increase-risk-neurological-conditions-autism-ms;
